use this tool to encrypt and decrypt PGP files. OpenPGP compatible (2024)

Windows Installer package

It is as simple as downloading and installing this MSI package.

NOTE: In case you're using non-Oracle JRE, you'll have to a) set JAVA_HOME environment variable to point to JRE location, OR b) use zip package instead

(~14mb)

ZIP package (any Operation System)

Alternative way of running PGPTool on any operation system which has JRE installed. Details can be found here Bottom line: you’ll need to download, unzip and run it using java. If Double-click doesn’t work, then run following command line:

java -jar pgptoolgui-0.5.9.3.jar

(~14mb)

Option 1: Oracle JRE

Technically easiest and conventional way of getting JRE is getting it from official Oracle website

But relatively recently Oracle decided to charge for JRE, that's why you might want to use Option #2 which also works, but not as plug-n-play as Oracle's

Option 2: Alternative JREs

There are number of alternative JRE distributions. I recommend to use Amazon's Corretto

NOTE: In case you're using Windows Installer package for PGPTool, you'll have to set JAVA_HOME environment variable to point to JRE location. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how this can be done

Screenshots

Encryption/Decryption is not a goal itself, it’s a way to achieve goal -- safety for sensitive data.

There are couple common scenarios:

1. You’ve created a file that contains sensitive information and you need to store it or send it over the network
2. You’ve received encrypted file and you need to read the contents, maybe update it and encrypt and send it back

In all these scenarios you also need to make sure sensitive information will not remain in un-encrypted state.

Now let’s see what it takes to achieve this using PGP Tool versus Average PGP software (LESS actions -- better)

SCENARIO #1: Encrypt the file

(presuming you've already encrypted at least one file from the same folder)

SCENARIO #2: Decrypt, edit, encrypt back

Screen casts

Have a question?

Discovered a defect?

Question: Why I might need to use this PGP Tool?

Answer: It will help you to make sure that sensitive data like your bank accounts, passwords and/or confidential documents will be available only to the designated people.

You encrypt this information and then you can safely store it locally, in the cloud or send via email.

Even if you save it to the USB Flash drive and leave it in the center of the citi no one except authorized people will be able to read this data.

Question: How it works?

Answer: On a high-level it works like this:

• First of all you need to create PGP key-pair
• it’s called a key-pair because there is a pair of keys - private and public
• When file is encrypted (locked) with a Public key it’s considered safe (unauthorized people will not be able to unlock it and read the contents). File can be encrypted with multiple public keys (presuming multiple people are allowed to access the file)
• if Alice wants to encrypt file so that only Bob can decrypt it she needs to ask Bob to send his public key and select only this key when encrypting file
• One of the matching Private keys is required to decrypt (unlock) the file. Passphrase is required to use private key
• To avoid jeopardizing the whole security idea NEVER share your private key with other people and DO NOT send private key over the internet

Question: What is OpenPGP ?

Answer: PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy. Prefix "Open" means that this is open standard, many applications support it.

OpenPGP software uses a combination of strong public-key and symmetric cryptography to provide security services for electronic communications and data storage. These services include confidentiality, key management, authentication, and digital signatures.

For those who wants to know more technical details you can start with this article on Wikipedia

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Hi there! I'm creator and maintainer of this project. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me to minimize routine operations and increase data security when working with PGP encrypted files.

If you enjoy this program and want to express it, you can always
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Couple words about me:

Both my work and hobby are related to software development. I worked as a C++ and C# developer. I've succeeded as a Java Developer, Team Leader and a Project Manager.

I'm passionate and enthusiastic about software development. Primarily because I love when technology enables people to focus on creative work rather than on routine tasks.